'He's shouting pick me' - has Lewis played way into England's Ashes team?
After making his England debut in 2023, is Mikey Lewis now positioned to lead against Australia?
Any remaining uncertainty about Mikey Lewis' Ashes selection was definitively erased by his outstanding Hull KR performance this past weekend.
The talismanic 24-year-old scored the Robins' first try as his side beat Wigan Warriors to win the Super League Grand Final for the first time.
His brilliant dummy-set try initiated Hull KR's path to an extraordinary domestic triple crown, establishing them historically among the elite five Grand Final winners over the past thirty years.
National Team Manager Confronts Selection Challenge
While Leeds' Jake Connor claimed the Steve Prescott MBE Man of Steel honor this season, Lewis earned the prestigious Rob Burrow Award for his outstanding Grand Final performance.
It leaves England boss Shaun Wane - who is set to name his squad on Monday - with a selection headache for his first starting line-up to face Australia when they meet at Wembley in 14 days' time.
Warrington's George Williams is England's captain, while Harry Smith - who himself scored on Saturday as Wigan threatened a second-half comeback - is also in contention alongside Lewis for a starting place.
Meanwhile, Connor will feel as if he has earned the right for a call-up himself off the back of a mature and impressive season in which he helped the Rhinos to their first top-four finish since 2017.
Expert Opinions on Lewis' Selection Claims
Mikey Lewis has made five England appearances, scoring two tries
A first Ashes series for almost 20 years is a big occasion and Hull KR head coach Willie Peters - who will be part of the Kangaroos' backroom team for the series - believes Lewis' performance on the Grand Final stage was a pivotal moment in his career.
“I said out there that Mikey Lewis has arrived and what I meant was, that was a big moment,” Peters stated.
“Grand Finals represent the ultimate stage and he completely dominated the opening period.
“He withstands much scrutiny yet this reveals his authentic qualities and competitive nature.
Salford Red Devils boss Paul Rowley thinks that despite a crowded line-up of players bidding to start, Lewis has convincingly made his case.
“Mikey Lewis is essentially demanding selection, challenging coaches to overlook him at their peril,” Rowley observed.
“He's demonstrating his capability as an elite performer excelling in high-pressure situations.
“Mikey Lewis has got to be in there somewhere, but it's hard to squeeze all these good players in - there are only a few positions for quite a few players.”
Hull KR playmaker Mikey Lewis left Old Trafford after winning both the Super League Grand Final and the Rob Burrow Award for man of the match